Embalse: Lake, Water Sports and History

Embalse is defined by the largest lake in Córdoba Province. The dam that forms the reservoir is 50 metres high and 360 metres long. Different holiday experiences come together by the water: beaches, sporting activities and the history of the town. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Embalse, you can start by considering whether your trip is more about spending time together by the lake, getting active on the water or gaining a cultural insight.

Beaches with different characters

Playa Las Piedras is a natural, unspoilt beach, where rock formations meet the mountain landscape. Playa La Costa offers a different feel: its wide sandy beach is a place to relax, sunbathe or play with children. The descriptions of these two beaches give families a practical starting point for planning their holiday: those interested in rocks and the setting among the mountains can consider Playa Las Piedras; Playa La Costa is a good option for a wide sandy beach with room to play.

Activities on and around Embalse

The calm waters of Embalse are suitable for a range of activities: kayaking, open-water swimming, kitesurfing, surfing, water skiing and boat trips. The options range from getting out on the water under your own steam to taking a boat trip. Sport fishing is also possible, with catches released afterwards. At Balneario Jarana, there is a zip line as well as kayak and SUP board hire; sailing is also available there. These activities offer different ways to enjoy active days without letting any one water sport define your stay.

There are also experiences on land around the lake: its shores and trails are suitable for trekking, cycling and horseback riding. If you like to combine your stay with some exercise, you can consider these options alongside the water activities. Embalse therefore offers a choice of things to do both on the lake and along its shores.

Summer activities for families

In summer, Balneario Municipal offers leisure courses and sports tournaments for the whole family. Together with the wide sandy beach at Playa La Costa, this makes it a good choice for families looking to combine activities with time at the beach. The courses and tournaments are seasonal, complementing the town’s year-round landscape and cultural attractions with a summer leisure programme.

History and cultural heritage

Another way to discover Embalse is through the Unidad Turística Embalse. The historic complex was built on the shore of the reservoir between 1946 and 1955. At the time, it included hotels, shopping arcades, a cinema-theatre, a cultural space and 51 bungalows, with a total capacity of more than 3,000 people. This scale makes the complex a distinctive part of the town’s history.

A surviving substation from the original project houses the Museo Municipal Juan Carlos Alba Posse. The museum has a room presenting the heritage of the Comechingones. This means that visitors can include both the history of the tourist complex and a particular focus on Comechingón heritage in their travel plans. If you would like to include culture as well as the lake when choosing a holiday rental in Embalse, these places can help guide your plans.

More destinations: La Cumbrecita, Atos Pampa, Santa Rosa De Calamuchita, Los Reartes, Amboy, Pueblito, Villa los Molinos and Villa Del Dique.

Return to the main travel overview: Calamuchita Department.